Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of modified electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Patients with MDD from Anhui Mental Health Center from October 2017 to May 2019 were included. Using bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAcc) as seed points, changes of RSFC were investigated before and after MECT through resting-state functional magnetic imaging (fMRI). Antidepressant effects were measured by 17 items of Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HDRS-17). Correlation analysis was performed between changed HRSD-17 scores and changes of functional connectivity. Results: A total of 40 MDD patients (10 males and 30 females), aged (38±11) years, who received MECT were included in the study. After MECT, patients showed increased RSFC in the right NAcc (rNAcc) and superior frontal gyrus (P<0.001), right supramarginal gyrus (P<0.001), right angular gyrus (rAG) (P= 0.017), right inferior parietal lobule (P= 0.017), left superior frontal gyrus (LSFG) (P<0.001), left middle temporal gyrus (P=0.017) and left angular gyrus (LAG) (P=0.012), respectively. The RSFC changes of rNAcc-LSFG (r=-0.454, P = 0.003), rNAcc-rAG (r=-0.437, P=0.005) and rNAcc-lAG (r=-0.383, P=0.015) were negatively correlated with the changes of HRSD-17 scores. Conclusions: MECT may alleviate major depression by regulating the functional connectivity between the rNAcc and bilateral angular gyrus and left superior frontal gyrus.